Aloe
Aloe vera
A stemless or very short-stemmed succulent plant featuring thick, fleshy, greenish leaves with serrated margins bearing small teeth.
- Light
- Full sun to bright indirect light, around 6 hours or more of bright light daily when grown indoors or outdoors.
- Water
- Water deeply but infrequently, allowing the soil to dry out completely between watering sessions. Highly drought tolerant; vulnerable to root rot from overwatering.
- Growth
- Perennial succulent with a rosette growth habit, typically reaching a mature height and spread of 1 to 2 feet with a moderate growth rate.
Care instructions
Provide bright, indirect to direct sunlight, allow the soil to dry completely between thorough waterings, and use a well-draining potting medium formulated for cacti and succulents. Fertilize sparingly during the spring and summer active growing season.
Growing details
Sunlight
Full sun to bright indirect light, around 6 hours or more of bright light daily when grown indoors or outdoors.
Watering
Water deeply but infrequently, allowing the soil to dry out completely between watering sessions. Highly drought tolerant; vulnerable to root rot from overwatering.
Soil
Fast-draining sandy loam or specialized cactus and succulent mix with a neutral to slightly acidic pH range of 6.0 to 7.0.
Hardiness zone
USDA Hardiness Zones 10 to 11, intolerant of freezing temperatures.
Growth habit
Perennial succulent with a rosette growth habit, typically reaching a mature height and spread of 1 to 2 feet with a moderate growth rate.
Bloom season
Spring to summer, producing tubular yellow or orange flowers on tall, unbranched or branched spikes; sometimes non-flowering when grown indoors.
Propagation
Propagated primarily by removing and replanting offsets or pups that form around the base of the parent plant, or occasionally via seed.
Common pests & issues
Susceptible to root rot, scale insects, and mealybugs, which can be prevented by avoiding excessive moisture and ensuring proper air circulation.
Similar species
Agave species, which generally feature much harder, more rigid leaves with distinct fibrous structures and sharper terminal spines compared to the fleshy leaves of Aloe.